Crockpot Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup Recipe

The first time I made Crockpot Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup, I was mostly trying to use up the garlic sitting in my fridge. It turned into a dish my kids now request by name, with the tomatoes making it feel like a proper sit-down dinner. Now I keep the ingredients on hand most weeks.

The recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal prep work, making it an ideal choice for a comforting dinner. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste or dietary preferences.

Easy Crockpot Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup

This soup features savory Italian sausage, tender lentils, and a variety of vegetables simmered together for a delicious meal. The recipe takes about 8 hours in the crockpot and serves 6 people.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Italian sausage (mild or spicy, casings removed)
• 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups fresh spinach or kale, chopped (optional)
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Brown the Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until browned. Drain excess fat and transfer to the crockpot.
2. Add Ingredients: To the crockpot, add the lentils, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours, until the lentils are tender.
4. Add Greens: If using, stir in the chopped spinach or kale during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
5. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and top with grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy hot.

Cook and Prep Times

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 6 bowls
• Calories: 320kcal
• Fat: 12g
• Protein: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 30g

Whenever I make Crockpot Italian Sausage and Lentil Soup, I set aside a portion for lunch the next day since it seems to taste even better then. Feel free to swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand. Small changes like that are how this became a recipe I actually rely on.